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Home Explosion In Ecorse: House Leveled

ECORSE (WWJ) - A home has exploded in Ecorse, near 17th and Francis. Jerome Barlow lives about 10 doors away and says the house has totally disintegrated.  He says he heard the explosion: it was a large boom.

Barlow says he knows the owner: "Fortunately, he's okay, I understand he has burns on his hands," said Barlow.

WWJ's Beth Fisher was at the scene and spoke to Ecorse Director of Public Safety Gerald Champaign who said the 55-year-old owner was blown out of the house and is hospitalized with head, arm and hand injuries.

"He was conscious and talking to us and it appears that he is going to be okay- anything like this could be serious injuries, but I think he's going to be okay," says Champaign.

Neighbors told Champaign that ..."the gas company was out here at 2 o'clock investigating a smell of gas across the street, and then this happened, shortly after they left," reported Champaign.

No word on what caused the explosion. Firefighters from three neighboring communities -- Wyandotte, River Rouge and Lincoln Park -- have been called to assist.

 

( Lead Photo WWJ Tipster: Phillip Clark)

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